Charlton Athletic are expected to have a great season finale under Nathan Jones, and they have already begun looking at potential signings ahead of the summer transfer market, reports say.
Prior to Jones taking over, the Addicks had a 14-game winless skid, which had grown to 18 games after his first four games in charge. However, three successive draws against Lincoln City, Bolton Wanderers, and Portsmouth were a foreshadowing of what was to come under the former Southampton manager.
Despite being just outside the relegation zone when Jones was named Michael Appleton’s permanent successor, Charlton Athletic are now unbeaten in 11 games and have a chance of finishing in the top half of League One.
Furthermore, the Addicks’ remaining four games of the season are all eminently winnable, beginning with a game against Wigan Athletic at The Valley on Tuesday afternoon, followed by matchups against Cambridge United, Shrewsbury Town, and Wycombe Wanderers.
How's your touch, @alfiemay?! 😎#cafc pic.twitter.com/oE0xk71z47
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) April 7, 2024
Charlton are all but mathematically safe this season, sitting ten points clear of the drop zone with four matches remaining, allowing the recruitment department to focus on bringing new faces to the club during the summer transfer window.
One player connected with a move to The Valley is Benji Magee, a 21-year-old wonder from Loughgall. The Northern Irish centre-forward has had an outstanding season with the NIFL Premiership side, scoring 17 goals in 37 appearances across all competitions. According to Transfermarkt, he is presently worth £150,000.
Nonetheless, with clubs such as Wrexham, Bolton Wanderers, and Oxford United vying for his signature, EFL commentator Carlton Palmer believes Magee will go to Wales in the coming months in search of first-team play.
“Benji has starred at his club Loughgall, and he’s very exciting,” stated the former Sheffield Wednesday player.
“He’s now been called up to the Northern Ireland U21s, and clubs like Wrexham, Bolton, Charlton, and Oxford are all vying for his signature.
“Wrexham, who could be in League One next season, are believed to be very interested in signing the 21-year-old.”
“This would be an exciting challenge for him, he’s playing regularly, he’s playing well,” he said.
“He will want to transfer to a club that can offer him first-team football.
“Wrexham, as we know, have very good owners who are backing the club, so I think Wrexham, should they get promoted, would be in a very, very good position to get his signature.”
Writer’s perspective
Palmer’s suggestion that Magee could wish to move to Wrexham because he has a better chance of getting regular game time at The Racecourse Ground than at Charlton Athletic is not without merit. However, it’s impossible to imagine him replacing Paul Mullin on the team.
Heading to the Addicks under Jones’ direction might be a wonderful move for Magee, but it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to life in England’s third division, since it is difficult to predict how the NIFL Premiership will translate to English football.
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